From bugs lurking on the plane to bacteria in the hotel pool – the 11 most common illnesses you can catch on holiday

EVERY year we look forward to our holidays – dreaming of the beach, the uninterrupted sun and time to relax.

After months of great anticipation, the last thing we want is to be struck down by an illness when we get there!

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If you’re always the victim of some kind of pain when you’re away, you’re not alone.

Some people manage to avoid infections and malaise all year round, only to be hit by a virus as soon as they relax on vacation.

While it’s not exactly clear why this happens, it could be that the stress hormones that help us manage work and other deadlines in preparation for the holiday to decrease.

This can affect the immune system, meaning we are more susceptible to infections.

Whether on the plane, relaxing on the beach or by the pool, or in the comfort of our carefully chosen hotel, unfortunately traveling can put us at risk of getting sick in a few ways.

So what are some common illnesses we can get on vacation and how can we avoid them?

ON THE PLANE

Even before boarding the plane or booking your ticket, if you have a chronic health condition or are pregnant, check with the airline and your doctor whether or not you can travel.

While it’s safe to fly with a cold or a slight cough, it’s important to remember that you’re in close contact with a lot of people on the plane!

Therefore, when thinking about flying, you need to consider both the risk of flying to yourself and the risk to other people.

If you are unwell – have a fever, for example – avoid flying.

1. Respiratory infections

The risk of flying in terms of respiratory infections is about the same as traveling by bus or subway, where you are in close contact with other people.

To protect yourself, practice good hand hygiene.

To protect others, do not travel if you are unwell and don’t forget to cough and sneeze into a tissue that you then discard, then wash your hands.

If you test positive for Covid-19, the current advice recommended by the NHS is to self-isolate at home for 5 days.

2. Motion sickness

Seasickness can occur in any form of transport from a car to a plane and occurs because your brain receives mixed messages from your eyes and inner ear about whether or not you are moving.

To try to help you can try choosing a seat near the center of the plane and various motion sickness medications are available over the counter, as well as acupressure bands which may help some people.

Don’t forget your sickness bags and try to stay well hydrated.

3. Dehydration

The air that circulates on a plane is very dry, which means you can end up with dry lips, skin, airways and mouth.

Make sure to drink plenty of fluids and consider using moisturizer, lip balm, and even saline (salt water) nasal spray.

Try to limit alcohol and caffeine, as they are diuretics and can further dehydrate you.

If you wear contact lenses, using glasses or eye drops can help alleviate any discomfort.

4. Ears popping

Experiencing popping sounds in your ears, usually during takeoff and landing, occurs due to changes in air pressure that affect the middle ear and eustachian tubes.

To try to prevent and alleviate this situation, try swallowing or chewing, for example, sucking on a sweet, chewing gum or yawning.

5. Deep vein thrombosis

The combination of sitting still and not being active for a long time periods Sitting in cramped seats means blood flow in the legs can decrease, leading to an increased risk of developing a blood clot or deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

This can cause pain and swelling in the legs, and if the clot breaks off and travels to the lungs, it will cause pulmonary emobolism (PE), which is extremely serious and can be fatal.

To lower your risk, stay well hydrated and stay moving and active as much as possible during long flights.

If you have pre-existing conditions that increase your risk of developing DVT, your doctor may recommend that you wear compression stockings and sometimes receive low-molecular-weight heparin injections.

AT THE POOL OR BEACH

Taking a dip in the sea or relaxing by the pool can be the most relaxing parts of a vacation.

But water and sun can pose a risk of disease.

1. Sun allergy

Yes, it is possible to be allergic to the sun.

Polymorphic light rash is a relatively common rash that is an immunological reaction to exposure to sunlight, so it commonly occurs on the chest or hands.

This causes an intensely itchy rash, which may look like many small blisters or bumps, appearing a few hours to days after exposure to sunlight.

Although it heals within two weeks, if you continue to expose it to the sun, it may worsen.

It is more common in people with white skin and in women between 20 and 40 years of age, but it can affect anyone.

As always, prevention is better than cure, so it’s advisable to stay out of the sun when it’s at its strongest. If the rash appears, steroid cream may be helpful.

2. Swimmer’s ear

If you spend a lot of time in the water, pool or sea, you can develop swimmer’s ear, also known as otitis externa.

This is when there is inflammation and infection of the external ear canal, the tube that connects the part of the ear to the eardrum.

If the skin in this external ear canal remains wet and moist, an infection can develop, causing pain and itching.

Otitis externa is usually treated with an ear spray that may contain steroids, antibiotics or antifungals or a combination of these.

IN HOTELS OR RESTAURANTS

Unfortunately, the side effects of traveling and indulging in regional delicacies during the holidays can wreak havoc on your gut.

1. Traveler’s diarrhea

Have you ever heard of the term traveler’s diarrhea?

Known as gastroenteritis, it’s an intestinal infection that can be viral or bacterial, which causes the dreaded nausea, diarrhea and vomiting – which is not what you want on vacation.

It is generally transmitted via the fecal-oral route, that is, by ingesting contaminated water.

You can also get diarrhea-type illnesses from swimming in contaminated water, as some insects can survive chlorinated water.

Depending on where you are in the world, it may be wise to avoid unbottled or unsterilized water.

You may also need to peel or cook all the fruits and vegetables, and don’t forget to ask how the ice was made!

If you are affected, be sure to maintain your fluid intake to replace what is being lost.

2. Constipation

While some people may experience traveler’s diarrhea, many others will notice that they become constipated while traveling.

Your gut loves routine and so you may notice differences in your habits when your routine changes.

Being dehydrated after a plane trip, heat climateChanges to your diet, eating fewer fruits and vegetables and other sources of fiber, and less exercise can mean you become constipated.

So be sure to increase your fiber and fluid intake.

HOLIDAY SKIN PROBLEMS

Hot holiday weather can mean mosquito bites, but you can also develop fungal infections such as pityriasis versicolor.

1. Insect bites

There are many different biting insects that can cause skin irritation, from small mosquitoes to mosquitoes.

The best way to avoid them is to use insect repellent containing DEET, as well as covering yourself with long sleeves and pants.

If you are bitten, a soothing antihistamine cream or aloe vera gel can be helpful, as can an oral antihistamine.

A piezoelectric clicker, which can be purchased over the counter, can also help as it delivers a small electrical shock that stops the histamine reaction to try to alleviate the irritation.

Occasionally bites can become infected, so if you are concerned, seek medical advice.

2. Pityriasis versicolor

This is a rash caused by a type of fungus that lives on the skin, which can sometimes grow and spread more than normal – it’s not always clear why.

The rash is made up of small patches of skin that change color, whether paler, darker or pinker.

It can occur at any time, but is more common in the summer months and warmer climates, or you may notice it more because the spots don’t tend to tan.

It is treated with an antifungal shampoo.

Don’t forget the trip safe – and stay safe!